Tulane vs. Penn State

[High Roller]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi all- longtime lurker, firstime poster- Definitely one lucky SOB to be in this position!

I found out early (back in October) about Tulane and was all set and excited about going there. However I just found out last week I was accepted to Penn State off the waitlist. I had thought all along I'd go to Penn State if I got in, but now I'm having serious second thoughts and having a heck of a time deciding between both of these great and so different options.

A little insight into whats bouncing around in my head-

1) Grew up in a small mountain west town, so Penn State definitely has more of a feeling of home with access to outdoor stuff, but theres something about New Orleans that actually draws me a little more- can't pin it down or articulate it, but I definately got that "gut" feeling about living in New Orleans and what a cool and life altering experience it would be (or maybe I'm just overly romanticizing it). I guess in short, when I think of moving to either of these places, I get more exited about New Orleans.

2) Tuition & Living Expenses: - 62k/yr at Penn State (oos) or 69k/yr at Tulane. So while Penn State might be slightly cheaper, either way I'm getting the short end of the stick no matter where I'm at.

3) Research oppurtunities- Definitely think its easier to get onboard with research at Penn State (heck its required!) and this may be something thats important to me as I haven't ruled out pursuing a competitive specialty.

4) A big concern (both positive and negative) is post Katrina stuff. Lots of cool opportunities, but also lots of uncertainty- uncertain/changing patient base, loss of clinical faculty/residents and its effect on the clinical years, etc.

Advice, Insight? Would love to hear from anyone- Thanks all!

 

[High Roller]

Anyone care to bite?

 

[Bacchus]

Re: Post-Katrina

NOLA and the other devestated towns (heck, NOLA wasn't wiped off the map, but I'd be getting off topic...) have rebounded. I was in Waveland, MS 6 months after the disaster. It was desolate except for those "true to their roots, I wouldn't be happy anywhere else" type of people. I then went back in the first week of July. There were a lot more people in Waveland just those 4 months later. The people all along the Gulf Coast are some of the most humble people and friendliest people you'll meet. They're moving on with their lives and not letting Katrina get to them. That said, its never going to be the same again and that is expected. However, if Tulane were in trouble due to an exodus of faculty and clinicians it would be well known and I haven't heard of anything horrific happening to the school as a result of the Hurricane.

If you're up for change go to Tulane. If you want to learn in the "rural" town of Hershey then Pennstate is your pick. Don't forget, there is Hershey Park and the massive amounts of chocolate on site 😉.

 

[ianian28]

69k/yr at tulane? really? i was thinkin' closer to 60k/yr...

anyway, the entire tulane university underwent a huge change after the storm. entire programs were lost (computer engineering, a few others), and the medical school was not spared.

a lot of 'faculty' were cut - as in a few hundred. my understanding is that these were the 'professors' in name only types - hospitalists who may have been the attendings students worked under, but not regular lecturers or others heavily involved in years 1-2 of med school. as the population came back, they re-hired a lot of the fired folks...but there's still some bad blood.

tulane would be awesome - you'd be seeing real pathology all the time. lots of opportunities to encounter diseases you probably won't find in most places. hands-on training aplenty.

plus, didn't the students seem oddly happy? like happier than anywhere else?

 

[foreverfavre]

I would just stick with Penn State. You will be so busy in med school that it will be very difficult to really find time to enjoy where you are living. Just go with the cheaper option. Besides, once you are a doctor you can go wherever you want. That's my 2 Cents.

 

[EpiPEN]

A friend of mine goes to Penn State right now. He says it's good.


But he says the food is bad 😀

 

[mdgator]

I think Penn State is an amazing school. If I were in your shoes, there'd be no question for me.

I don't know, but I've heard Tulane's in a pretty rough area, which would be a serious consideration for me. I have a tendency to like to go to and from campus very early in the morning/late at night near test times. I've never been to the Tulane campus, but I don't think I'd feel comfortable doing so there.

 

[bones11]

You will be so busy in med school that it will be very difficult to really find time to enjoy where you are living.

Actually everyone I met at Tulane said they had a surprising amount of time to enjoy themselves and explore the city, and generally I think where you're spending the next four years of your life should be a huge consideration.

Like the OP I'm from a more rural background and used to doing outdoorsy things (surfing, hiking, etc) which will be unavailable in New Orleans. But I also think it's healthy to move to new places with new lifestyles, and so I am looking forward to a change in environment.

To conclude: I'm going to Tulane, and so obviously you should too.

P.S. Agreed with ianian28 about everyone being 'oddly' happy.

 

[Character]

penn st for the football

 

[Character]

and better school colors

 

[premalsst]

Dont you guys find the lack of information provided by Tulane a bit odd? At least in my experience, all my other acceptances have provided clear info about classes, schedule, clinical rotations, housing options, abroad options etc. Maybe I am the only one that feels ill-informed here...?

 

[luckycharms08]

Dont you guys find the lack of information provided by Tulane a bit odd? At least in my experience, all my other acceptances have provided clear info about classes, schedule, clinical rotations, housing options, abroad options etc. Maybe I am the only one that feels ill-informed here...?

i think they've provided the best info out of all the schools i interviewed at. the website has an amazing schedule for both semesters for every single class, the 2008-09 academic calendar is already posted, they sent a letter about new changes, financial aid info

housing options -- deming and then usually uptown and garden district

i don't know about abroad options.

 

[Bacchus]

I retract my statement, or atleast parts of it:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/04/29/nola.nurses/index.html